Condition - Travel and health while abroad

Q - "I am going on holiday to India for three weeks at the end of June and want to feel healthy while I’m there. What do you suggest? "

Grapefruit seed extract, or an all-seasons herbal formula, have the ability to keep your digestive system happy and healthy while on holiday, by helping to deter any unwanted bacteria and other organisms from taking hold.

Encouraging your population of friendly intestinal bacteria is also a good idea as this will help maintain a healthy digestive system. Lactobacillus Sporogenes is a probiotic bacterium that is not sensitive to heat, so it’s ideal to take on your travels, as there is no need for refrigeration. Ginger also helps to support the digestive system, especially when travelling.

Protecting yourself from the damaging effects of the sun is, of course, extremely important and a good SPF cream is essential to use. Astaxanthin from the alga Haematococcus pluvialis has been shown in a study to help protect the skin against harmful UV light. For sunburn and insect bites, keep cooling and soothing Aloe vera gel handy.

If the thought of flying or travelling worries you, the minerals magnesium and calcium are known have to have calming effects on the nervous system. Jet lag, which can last for several days, especially after a long-haul flight, can cause fatigue, irritability and sleepiness, which can spoil your holiday. Taking the amino acid 5HTP, with a carbohydrate snack like an oatcake, about an hour before bedtime for a few days after you arrive, may be useful in helping the brain adjust, as it is a nutrient used by the body in the manufacture of neurotransmitters responsible for the sleep-wake cycle.

Healthy circulation is also important, especially when travelling on long-haul flights, and vitamin E, fish oil and bromelain from pineapples are also useful supplements to add to your holiday list.

Finally, include a small bottle of colloidal silver in your travel bag. It is an excellent all- round disinfectant and antiseptic, which can be sprayed into the mouth or used on the skin whenever needed.

Simple solutions like this should help you enjoy every day of your time away.